Genesis on The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway part TWO

[parzooman]

This album stands apart from their other work either before or after. There is something special about the collaboration here which seems born of the strife in the group. Peter's lyrics and performance are the best he did with the group.

[geomusicmove]

I can't believeTony is being honest, on Back in NY city, when he mentions the middle parts and while admits they are "courtesy of me" resents it and says it probably shouldn't be there...it a brillant part!

Like Mike said, it's a "heavy" song for Genesis but loves it and envisages a kind of new sound for the band that couldn't be because Peter left.. Mike nails it there.

[DJVYEATES]

What's great about this I think is that all the band members have valid points. Taste differs, sure. I adore this album, and also the four which preceded it. The subsequent non Gabriel albums get a lot of stick from we purists, but the chemistry of the band was different and of course they went on to phenomenal success, to the bemusement of those of us who signed up to the big five albums. I personally don't think Peter reached the same heights without the band, either.

[pmfith]

Has Banks just completely forgotten what the idea of progressive rock is?... Did he ever know? You get the feeling that he stumbled into the world of prog rock without ever knowing he was there - then wandered out and looked back and said - 'what the hell was that? What was I doing?'... He's a goddamn enigma...

[markboccaccio]

I paid $4.50 to see Genesis' "Selling England/Supper's Ready" concert in April 1974, and $6.50 to see "The Lamb"concert in December of 1974. All in all, a tremendous value :-)

[etorolira]

If you hear their opinions carefully (especially Banks, Ruthenford ahn Hackett), you will find that they like the songs that sounds more their own instruments. Thats, for me, is the best expresion of the EGO concept. EGO= Ethernal, Game, Of ME.

[wardka]

Ahh -The Hairless Heart. I used that in my wedding as I recall. For me that piece and this album represent the culmination of Genesis the prog band. I'm still appalled they would want to go from this to the blatant pop that eventually followed, both for Gabriel and for Genesis. Throwing It All Away indeed! I suppose that's a bit immature of me. Well, so be it. At least we have Hackett still making great prog.

[TheSpoonwood]

Didn't care for the record sonically ...... the material is just so good, the flow of the record works so well. One of my favorite Rock records ... Funny when you here the back story, the distrust of the process. In spite of all that , great great piece of work.

[PhilipPorter]

Some songs aren`t meant to be heard out of context! I don`t understand Tony Banks` reasoning.

The Lamb isn`t We Can`t Dance!

Thank goodness.

[markboccaccio]

Phil's comment about his playing in the Lamb era is so true. Live Genesis blew the doors off studio Genesis because of Collins. Only he and Hackett could wander off-script, and a young Phil Collins let loose and improvising was a truly amazing thing to behold from the 9th row

[ksjoyjespeace]

@markboccaccio You hit it RIGHT ON !! Did you pay less than $7 for your 9th row ticket ?!

[markboccaccio]

I have tickets for Musical Box' "The Lamb" show in NYC in November, and saw Genesis do "The Lamb" on December 17 and 18th of 1974. I look forward to seeing the original slides again.

[markboccaccio]

I have tickets for Musical Box "The Lamb" in NYC next month. I saw Genesis do "The Lamb" in a row in 1974

[Chrisdrumz]

Saw The Musical Box perform the Lamb last night here in Houston and it was fantastic. Phil is dead on about the drumming.

[ThefightingCelt]

Tony Banks just won't accept that The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway is Genesis' BEST work by far; as Peter Gabriel riightly says, some of their very best work is on this album - and the album only works as a whole - not as a series of individual songs. The concept is ALL on this great album. Rael's search for his inner self. My favourite Genesis album by far.

[DGfretter]

@ThefightingCelt

I still feel it's the best double album anyone has ever released. But - it takes a "shading of the ego" to REALLY get it. You have to bow down to The Lamb to truly get what Peter was giving to the world. And Tony has always been the leader of Genesis - which this interview proves - pisses him off, still.

Sometimes I feel it really is the musician's music album that Genesis did. Because if you write music yourself, you're dumbfounded by what they were able to create. Genius.

[ronlweasley]

@ThefightingCelt Agree with every word mate. I am 50 and this album has touched me more than any other in my life. Maybe part of it is the memories of my formative years, but it was pure genius. I saw it live in Manchester at the Palace Theatre when I was 14 and I was blown away. I had never experienced and will never experience anything like it. That said, I am going to see Musical Box perform in a few weeks. Can't wait :-)

[jeffthrow6892]

@ThefightingCelt -- Sorry man, I just have to totally disagree......."Genesis BEST work by far"-- really?? "Selling England", "Foxtrot", you really think Lamb is way better?? I have to respectfully disagree.......

[ThefightingCelt]

@jeffthrow6892 That is your prerogative, and who am I to disagree with someone else's opinion regarding music, which is totally subjective. I love the albums you mention. Supper's Ready is my favourite Genesis track - but as an album, I still feel, even after all these years, that The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway is their magnum opus.

[jeffthrow6892]

@ThefightingCelt -- And, of course, I realize that many others share your opinion. I've been REALLY into early, Gabriel-era Genesis lately......but I've never really been able to connect with the "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" album, believe me, I've tried & wanted it to happen! There are some great songs, but, as a whole, the concept is so damn hard to grasp & make any sense of........for me, anyway........

[ThefightingCelt]

@jeffthrow6892 That's fine - but don't give up, to coin a Gabriel phrase. It takes some people longer than others to get into - others just don't get it at all. The story is allegorical - a journey of self discovery based loosely on Homer's Odyssey. A rough young Puerto Rican/New York kid ( Rael ) is trying to come to terms with his life and ultimately seeks to find his inner self ( through his alter ego, John ) whilst imagining himself in a parallel universe. Join the dots and you'll get there.

[ronlweasley]

@ThefightingCelt

Agreed again.  The lamb is their finest album imho.

[zenpaganwarrior]

@ThefightingCelt Agreed...it truly is their finest hour. When Tony says that the lyrics make the album one-dimensional, and that to him the story doesn't really work? This is the full flowering of their genius...a real visionary moment that demands repeated listenings. Some of the very best lyrics and music in rock - or any music. And I love ALL Genesis members and output (but for a few of their 80s and 90s numbers). Thx for posting...love the Lamb!

[ThefightingCelt]

@zenpaganwarrior It is good to know that other people share my opinion of this masterwork. It is not only my favourite Genesis album but it is also my favourite album of all time.

[brazenhubris]

phil was a monster on the drums in that era, no doubt- especially live.

[ThefightingCelt]

Steve Hackett is probably the only ex Genesis member who looked younger as he got older.

[urbanverbs]

Mr. Banks is so narrow minded... what a pitty...

[SRNF]

@urbanverbs true, he is very narrowminded. He has something rude to say about almost every song. I think its their best work :P

[SuperBick1]

I know I dont have all the facts and can never be in the heads of the guys, but Peter G did not leave cause he thought himself above them and the fact that phil was a myna bird reflection on peters vocals and, oh oh here it comes, my gut reaction points to a less then amicable parting.. And I fkn love a bunch of the post Peter work. Anyway shoot me with a tuneing fok fo saying what I think. The lamb live with Peter is one of the greatest moments of mankind. :)

[tahoevic]

Steve always the honest one......I say that tough hey never turned on each other like..............

John turned on Paul, and then Paul back,

They need to get over it....... FOR THE FANS!!!!!We Bought the records, remember records?

It is like any Family with troubles, but when u get older WHO CARES!!!!

One last Charge lads in to the Breach for Harry an ENGLAND

[SuperBick1]

wow all of them except Peter seem like creeps. One of the best albums of all time

[dwc311]

@SuperBick1 hahahahah why do u think that???

[djdeviant1]

Phil is a beast on drums. Has his own style.

[BeanKitchen]

"The Carpet Crawlers", as well as "In the Cage" are among my favorite pieces from Genesis. The album sounds great, although some of the stuff could have been cut, in my opinion. "The Lamia" harkens back to their earlier recordings. This album is a must have for a Genesis fan.

[Kruegerisgod]

@BeanKitchen "The Lamia" is part of the early recordings, this is still early Genesis

[MoveOverCasanova]

carpet crawlers was always one of my least favourite tracks, it is the typical song for the masses on an otherwise brillant weird album, and it is a must in every genesis gig therefore, just like the "i know what i like"

[RectumPilum]

Back in NYC is so awesome, one of my all time favorite songs.

[slw59]

@RectumPilum I agree, that's my favorite track on The Lamb. Pete's singing is incredible on that one.

[TheExcelsior1]

People love the Carpet Crawlers because it's eye-wettingly beautiful, Tony.

[bluefox4000]

Sides 1 and 2 are brilliant. Sides 3 and 4 bore me, IMO. Should have been a single album. All of this is just my view of course.

[Kruegerisgod]

@bluefox4000 listen to it more, it's great

[soklapptdasnie]

Claustrophobia. Hackett puts his finger exactly on the mood of that album.

[Cheessa]

Carpet Crawlers .....love it

[RonG40]

Thanks for these!

That was a surprisingly candid comment from Phil about his playing!